Defense Chief Hagel says that DOD will "immediately" implement end of DOMA

[bigtree]

tweeted by, The Lovely Plains ?@DaRiverZkind 10m

SOD Hagel says that DOD will "immediately" implement the end of #DOMA, & will grant same benefits to same-sex couples pic.twitter.com/dpNsuojmPS


Washington Post ?@washingtonpost 1m
Hagel: Same-sex spouses of military members will start getting benefits "as soon as possible" http://wapo.st/19ugQOF

[idwiyo]

1. K&R

[Recursion]

2. Some of the firmest implementers of integration under Truman were personally racists

But they also understood what orders are. I have confidence the military will do this well.

[bigtree]

4. true. There has to be an element of leadership to both propel and perpetuate these types of changes

. . . one of the most important things that I take from the history of Abraham Lincoln's 'emancipation' efforts for blacks in America is the reality of his own ambivalence toward black independence and even their ability to coexist with whites in this country. In a debate with Stephen Douglas in 1858, Lincoln was clear about his own antipathy toward giving blacks rights regularly afforded to the white majority:

Lincoln:

“I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been in favor of bringing about in anyway the social and political equality of the white and black races—that I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will forever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I, as much as any other man, am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race. I say upon this occasion I do not perceive that because the white man is to have the superior position the negro should be denied everything.”

His subsequent embrace of the 13th Amendment reflects the way Americans, as a whole, were compelled to relinquish their prejudices and accept the emergence of rights for blacks in the newly established United States. Out of both a material need and an epiphany about a 'more perfect Union,' Lincoln brought America to realize their own benefit in granting measures of inclusiveness and opportunity to an enslaved and oppressed class of inhabitants.


I remember a story told of the integration of a particular school in the South after 'Brown' and the federal govt. intervention where ALL of the white students were pulled out of classes by their parents when a handful of black youth were admitted. Those black youth attended classes in a virtually empty school that year. The next year, however, the majority of the white students had been allowed to return - and time and history marched on.

It really is remarkable how our insistence on progressive change has the potential to move mountains of resistance, in the end. History tells us this.

[Hydra]

3. Good

Gonna be hard for people to keep fighting this as it gets more casually widespread and protected by law.

Of course, that's what they are most afraid of- that when they scream, we'll say "There's a problem?"

[bigtree]

5. I'm of the view that a lot is riding on who this admin. allows access to benefits and rights

. . . as their implementation and interpretations of the ruling will set the standard for future defenses of the ruling; further challenges; and future assertions and defenses by individuals of those newly granted benefits and rights against court challenges from states that don't respect marriage equality.

[Hydra]

6. Yup, let's hope they do the right thing

But there's always legal recourse (again) if necessary. This is a discrimination issue, so if they get limited benefits or partner rights we'll see the issue again. Personally, I hope the Admin sees this as a "safe" issue to be right on now.

[Gore1FL]

7. Hagel: Same-sex spouses of military members will start getting benefits "as soon as possible"

I hope that "as soon as possible" is faster than the VA's ability to get people benefits.

(Actually I hope "as soon as possible" becomes close to "instantaneous" for both.)

[Cha]

8. HA! Grand! Mahalo, bigtree!

[bigtree]

9. A'ole pilikia, Cha!

[Cha]

10. That's nice.. you're teaching me

Hawai'ian.. Mahalo

It's such Good News!

[bigtree]

12. He me iki ia, friend

he mea'ole keia

`A`ole au `olelo maika'i

[Cha]

13. No, I don't speak Hawai'ian but I have a friend who does..

Where did you learn, bigtree?

[Hekate]

11. Rachel Maddow made special note yesterday about the influence of US military bases...

... on the surrounding communities as they implement these measure.

This is not new for her: she has talked about it before in context of the racial integration of the US Armed Forces. They know what an order is, and how to implement it. And they have been planning for this day ever since Obama came into office.

[Cha]

14. Good to know, Hekate..

Mahalo!